Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Malaysians have made their stand. Results of a new Merdeka Center for Opinion Research poll suggested that the majority of Malaysians reject political leaders who have been tainted by money politics or sex scandals. The poll was a timely gesture as to discover how the majority of Malaysians would react to the numerous scandals and money politics that rocked the nation of late.The Merdeka Center discovered that a total of 87% of respondents in the poll conducted in Peninsular Malaysia from 29 Sept to 4 Oct did not want leaders who have been involved in money politics to stand for elections. This was evident in the defeat of UMNO's Rohaizat Othman in the Permatang Pasir by-election who was found guilty of swindling a client by the Bar Council.

However, the results of the Merdeka Center poll was not reflected in the results of the Bagan Pinang by-election on October 11. Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad won a landslide victory despite being found guilty of money politics by his party.[Refer to my previous post]

The poll also found that 75% of respondents did not want leaders who were tainted by sex scandals, taking Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek who was involved in a sex tape scandal as an example. At the same time, only 25.2% of respondents said Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat should lead the MCA following the disgraceful handling of the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).

And recently, members of the MCA decided to oust Ong from the party president post in a vote of no confidence. This would mean Ong has to resign as Transport Minister and also party chief, potentially throwing the entire MCA into disarray with the leadership void. However, any decision for Ong, who is currently on a 'leave' to step down, is yet to be made.

Moving on to the MIC, 59% of respondents felt the party is no longer relevant to the Indian community. Only 15% viewed the largest Indian Malaysian party in the Barisan Nasional coalition positively.

In September, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak also saw his popularity fell to 56% from 65% (in June). However, 47% of the people expressed that they were still not convinced of the Pakatan Rakyat as a worthy rival to the Barisan Nasional at the federal level.

Such polls may not be the Malaysian people's true reflection of sentiments. The voting ballots would prove a more effective way for the people to voice their approvals and objection. But from what that has been gathered so far, it is apparent that the Barisan Nasional remains the only entity that is still capable of leading the federal government. The Pakatan Rakyat is simply still too inexperience to do so for now.

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